Zindzi Mandela, youngest daughter of Nelson Mandela, died July 13 at a Johannesburg hospital. She was 59.
While her family awaits the autopsy results, her son Zondwa Mandela confirmed during an interview with SABC’s “Full View” that his mother tested positive for the coronavirus.
“There were other tests that were conducted, and my mother did in fact test positive for COVID-19 on the day of her passing,” Mandela said. “Although this doesn’t therefore mean that she died of COVID-related complications but simply that she tested positive for it. Several other tests have been done and those tests will give us further information as to what could have led to her untimely death.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was among those who have extended their condolences to the family of South Africa’s ambassador to Denmark since 2015, saying she served her country well.
“I offer my deep condolences to the Mandela family as we mourn the passing of a fearless political activist who was a leader in her own right,” Ramaphosa said. “Our sadness is compounded by this loss being visited upon us just days before the world marked the birthday of the great Nelson Mandela.”